“Our culture has produced an amazing array of photographers and filmmakers and even sculptors, so it’s not a lack of work ethic or creative energy that’s stopping us from producing poets. But I don’t see it as dumbed down as much as hesitant and cautious. Look around: it’s not just that we’re unsure what skateboarding means, but we’re unsure whether it’s even a good idea to consider its meaning. Skateboarding is supposed to be fun, after all, it’s the most fun thing. Taking it too seriously can dampen or even kill this fun, so, you know, fuck it. Let’s look at the pictures.” The Deaf Lens interviewed Kyle Beachy, a guy who is really good at writing about skateboarding.

“We’re out there breaking our ass trying to find this kid, and you’re up there fucking around in Nyack.” A teaser for Bleach, Paul Young’s new video featuring Dick Rizzo, Erik Martinez, Josh Wilson, Mark Humienik and others.

Found this rather interesting: the world famous Sants spot in Barcelona is unmodifiable, on account of it receiving an architecture award in 1983. The city is, however, starting to build designated places to skate in each district of the city, which could stir things up a bit in what’s basically the skate spot capital of Europe.

“Harold and Muska are waiting for you to go skate.” Anthony Shetler has an hour-long interview with Zered Bassett on his podcast. It covers anything you would ever want to know about a pro who came up on the east coast: Osiris demos, 16 Skateboards, getting on Zoo, not moving west, etc. Ad libs by Mr. T.

Pretty sick time capsule from Jim Hodgson: an Asbury Park, NJ Vans Triple Crown Contest from 1998. Fred Gall still with a flip trick-heavy repertoire, Billy Rohan in a Horty shirt, and every dude skating in a backwards hat.

Sorta on that note, Village Psychic got an interview with the dudes who run Mood Skateboards, a company with no team. “In the 80s and 90s, pro skaters were the best at skating, but now everyone is the best. The ‘need’ for professionals isn’t the same.” It’s gonna be a really weird next couple of years, man.

If you’re stuck inside and need a good time-killer, I was recently put onto the fact that a lot of episodes of Insomniac with Dave Attell are on YouTube. It hasn’t been the best for productivity, but is really fun to reminisce on the drunken world of the early millennium that most of us had yet to experience (still recognized the venue for the “goddess” party though hehehehe…) The two New York episodes are here and here. Playlist with most of them here.

After much deliberation, the Nosesliders Guild of America has awarded Hjatle Halberg its “Noseslider of the Year” award based on recentoutput. This is an unprecedented event, as no foreigner has ever won the coveted title. Photo above by Mike O’Meally.

QS Sports Desk Play of the Week:What else? Klay Thompson went 13-of-13 from the field (nine of which were contested three-pointers) against the Sacramento Kings earlier this week, in what was an utter video game of a single quarter. He now holds the record for most points in a NBA quarter with 37. The Golden State Warriors will be at Madison Square Garden on Saturday :)

Quote of the Week: “Oh Fifty Shades of Grey, I want to read that when the movie comes out.” — E.J.

It might seem odd recommending a profile of Harry Belafonte on Martin Luther King Jr. day, but the final third of the piece details the relationship between the two of them. It is one of the coolest profiles you’ll ever read. “When the song was over, Belafonte held up a black doctor’s bag and dumped $70,000 in small bills on a table.”

Harsh Euro Barge laid the groundwork for today’s generation of mid-twenty-somethings to be at terms with electronic music by the time they exited adolescence and found #the #party. SMLTalk on the Godfather II of tour videos.

2 Chainz v.s. Nancy Grace is not the new Cam v.s. Billy O’Reilly, contrary to what others may insist. Cam won because he beat Bill at his own game, whereas Tity Boy made the mistake of thinking he was speaking to someone interested in having an actual debate. Someone please make a supercut of her saying “2 Chainz” though.

Quote of the Week: “I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war, that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality.” — King